First Teeth

Around 6 months of age is average, but any parent will tell you no baby is average. It is not uncommon to have teeth earlier or later than this be several months either way.

Do not be concerned. As stated above babies can all be different and often are. Most of the time there is absolutely no concern for late bloomers. As dentists we do not recommend radiographic (x-ray) examination for late eruption until at least 1 year old, so do not fret at all before this. Even at one year old most of the time there is no concern. Some dentists may recommend x-rays to ensure there is no pathology disallowing eruption such as a cyst or malformation. 

Hypodontia which simply means "missing some teeth" is usually genetic to varying degrees. Whereas, oligodontia is more severe( greater than 6 missing teeth) and more common with baby teeth. If mom or dad didn't get certain teeth as a child or adult then the likelihood of this in baby is much greater. Notify the Childs dentist of this especially if they are nearing that 1 year mark of no baby teeth. An x-ray will be taken to determine if the teeth are just late or non existent. 

The term teething is used for a broad range of symptoms in baby. Often times parents, care givers and even medical professionals will chalk things up to teething to account for excessive fussiness in baby. Teething is referred to the time when first baby teeth erupt until they are all done erupting and the sensations and discomfort that accompany this period. Teething is natural and not something to be "treated" with drugs or remedies. 

Right before teeth first begin to break through the gum tissue, the layer of gum tissue over the tip of the tooth is very thin and is being pinched between the tooth and whatever is in the babies mouth. This can cause discomfort but is necessary to resorb the tissue to make way for the teeth coming in. This period accounts for the majority of what we consider "teething". Once the tooth has broken through the gums the baby will have relief from this but how has a new sensation.

Now these teeth are constantly growing up and out and shifting, new teeth are coming in and this will occur for a couple years. With every millimeter of growth of these new teeth the baby will experience an ever changing bite pattern and this often causes discomfort as their jaw muscles are constantly having to learn how to bite without hitting the teeth improperly. Remember this is natural and an essential process and does not need to be treated with medications.

Chewing chewing chewing. Provide your baby with baby safe teething toys. They don't have be frozen or cold but sometimes that seems to help more. Try not to rely on a pacifier for this but redirect the child with teething toys. Your child will put their fingers in their mouths to discover their new teeth and this is normal and ok. However, if this turns into sucking on the finger then discourage this and redirect with a teething toy. 

No concern here, this is normal and desired. While it may look unusual or non aesthetic there is a reason for this. Good spacing between baby teeth means there is more space for adult teeth to fit in properly. Also, space between baby teeth makes them "self cleansing" and reduces the need for flossing and debridement. If a child front four teeth on top and bottom are all touching then  its likely the adult teeth will be crowded. 

As the first set of baby teeth erupt it is recommended to occasionally wipe them with a soft cloth to remove residual milk or food debris. While opinions vary on this, wiping the first four teeth is generally ok to do instead of brushing. Teething toys will also help remove debris. If the child consumes sugary foods such as fruit or sweet potato then debridement more important after those meals. We also want to get the child comfortable with someone poking around in there. 

Most often if the teeth are discolored immediately upon eruption this is due to a malformation of the enamel or dentin. If you notice this it is best to voice this concern at your Childs first dental appointment. Sometimes this is just random and there is no concern and nothing to do about it. However severe deformities can be the result of genetic diseases or can be caused by excess minerals in water supply especially if formula feeding. 

If mom or dad had discolored or malformed baby or adult teeth then it is important to notify your child's dentist and sometimes genetic testing may be recommended to determine if the child is being affected by these. Teeth with deformities may require specialized care or increased attention. It is best to be aware of these cases in order to plan for the future of the child's dental health.

If you notice changes in your the appearance of the teeth then schedule an appointment with your child's dentist asap as these may be early signs of cavities and will need immediate treatment. Cavities caught early will reduce the risk of early tooth loss and infection. 

This is an extremely discouraged practice as babies will sometimes continuously suckle on the bottle throughout the night and will often get cavities as a result. Baby bottle cavities wreak havoc on baby teeth and can cause serious damage and often lead to the need of extensive dental work. The same can occur with co-sleeping babies that breastfeed throughout the night. Co-sleeping is not recommended and if your baby does co-sleep, disallow feeding by wearing a bra or t-shirt.

Doing this early and often will get then baby used to someone putting their fingers in their mouth. This will help with brushing and dental visits later. Obviously do this with clean fingers but rinse thoroughly as soapy residue will be extremely off putting.

Once the first two teeth are in you want to get in the habit of brushing or wiping the babies teeth after every feeding whether its solids or milk. This will also help get the baby used to you putting something in their mouth

If your baby is happy and content playing with toys or crawling around then remove the pacifier. Try to limit pacifier usage to specific times of the day or during certain stressful tasks such as diaper or clothes changes. Poking holes in the tip of the pacifier reduces the suction and will make the pacifier less desirable. Every couple days poke another hole in each pacifier the child uses. 

If your baby is happy and content playing with toys or crawling around then remove the pacifier. Try to limit pacifier usage to specific times of the day or during certain stressful tasks such as diaper or clothes changes. Poking holes in the tip of the pacifier reduces the suction and will make the pacifier less desirable. Every couple days poke another hole in each pacifier the child uses.